{"id":3643,"date":"2013-07-22T09:02:30","date_gmt":"2013-07-22T15:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/minkhollow.ca\/beckerblog\/?p=3643"},"modified":"2014-09-12T11:47:54","modified_gmt":"2014-09-12T17:47:54","slug":"gaming-is-good-for-you-nick-jr-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minkhollow.ca\/beckerblog\/2013\/07\/22\/gaming-is-good-for-you-nick-jr-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Gaming is good for you | Nick Jr. Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"Approximate Reading Time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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From the article:<\/p>\n

Videogames have got a bad rap over the years.<\/p>\n

Linked with violence, isolation, sedentary and antisocial behavior \u2013 if you believe some of the more hysterical media sources, videogames are symbolic of everything that\u2019s wrong with young people today.<\/p>\n

However, a new Australian study turns this perception on its head and even suggests that videogames be used as a tool to enhance and promote young people\u2019s wellbeing and mental health.<\/p>\n

The comprehensive study, titled, Videogames and Wellbeing, reviewed over 200 research papers from around the world, Australia\u2019s Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, found that there are strong links between gaming and good mental health in young people.<\/p>\n

The study\u2019s led researcher, Dr Daniel Johnson, from the Queensland University of Technology, says, \u201cFor years we\u2019ve been told that videogames make us socially isolated, aggressive and lazy, but our research suggests the opposite is true. Playing videogames actually has a number of positive impacts on the player, with both social and psychological wellbeing benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what are the benefits?<\/p>\n

According to the review, and based on \u2018moderate gameplay\u2019, benefits include \u2013 positive emotions and emotional stability, relaxation and stress reduction \u2013 and most impressively, that depressed moods are significantly lower, and self-esteem higher, in those that play games.<\/p>\n

This latest research was unveiled as part of the international gaming event, PAX (Penny Arcade Gaming) Australia, which was held in Melbourne over the weekend. Alongside the research, academics from the study led a panel and also unveiled a competition to design a game to promote young men\u2019s wellbeing. Aimed at 12 \u2013 25 year olds, the competition asks young people to come up with a game for PC, iPhone or Android that promotes positive action to enhance young men\u2019s wellbeing.<\/p>\n

You can find out more about the competition here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find a link to the Videogames and Wellbeing study here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Has this study changed your views on gaming? Are you more inclined to encourage gaming in your kids after reading this?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

via Gaming is good for you | Nick Jr. Parents<\/a>.<\/p>\n